Convention Season is Done!

It hardly seems possible that that another year of conventions has gone by. It was great meeting all of you this year. I love meeting new folks who are interested in Sonlight for the first time ... and seeing old friends who come back each season to tell me about their school year. It's fun seeing your kids grow up!

I'm interested in hearing what nugget of encouragement you took away from the convention you visited this year. Perhaps it was a specific workshop? Or maybe a speaker who just touched your heart. Just possibly, it was simply the time spent with other homeschoolers. Many folks I talked to this year expressed how making their annual convention trip was like refueling for the coming school year.

So post a comment here sharing your most encouraging memory from this year's convention visit. On July 13th I'll do a random drawing for a Sonlight tote bag from those who commented. Just the thing to carry all those Sonlight books to the park!

Have a wonderful July 4th weekend!
~Judy

Shop Project

Home Ec and other electives for girls seem to come easy for me. I love to sew, bake, cook, crochet, cross-stitch ... all activities that make for great Home Ec projects. Shop, however, is another story. As my son enters high school, I've been stumped looking for projects he and I could do together. Certainly he is learning to cook and bake, but I want him to develop other skills as well.

So last weekend we hit upon a project almost by accident! Aaron needed a new dresser ... the one he was using just wasn't meeting his needs any longer. So off he went with his dad to check out possibilities ... and back they came with a huge box full of hardware and pieces of very heavy wood! Instant "shop" project!

We sorted through pieces, read through the directions, and spent a couple of hours assembling a very nice dresser. I thoroughly enjoyed working side-by-side with my 14 year old "man" of few words. The end result was a very nice piece of furniture and the satisfaction of sharing a job well done. And the confidence that we can look for future projects to do together!

~Judy

Sharing a love for reading ...

One of the most precious benefits our family has gained from homeschooling is a mutual love of good books. It's exciting to me when my kids are eager to share the newest book they are reading and are interested in having me read it as well.

I've met some new authors over the past few years as a result of my children. I had never heard of Eoin Colfer until my youngest began reading the Artemis Fowl series. It's unlikely I would have pursued a story about twelve year old millionaire and a kidnapped fairy of my own accord. But when my son began devouring the books, I couldn't resist! Brian Jacques became another family favorite when all three kids stumbled onto the Redwall series. Martin the Warrior and Cluny the one-eyed Rat became regular topics of conversation. Even dad was "sucked in" when Jacques came out with Castaways of the Flying Dutchmen.

These days Ted Dekker is the author of choice. I finished reading Kiss just recently and was on the edge of my seat until the last page. While I'm not a fan of all of his books, there are many that have become favorites and I'm sure I'll read them again.

I can't wait to see what new authors we discover this year!

~Judy

Teaching Elementary Science

Science is one of those subjects that is easily slid to the back burner. In the lower grades, when phonics and fundamental math are priorities, science rarely makes it to the top of the list. Here's one approach that might move science off the back burner!

When my children were in the K-4 or 5 years, I came up with a solution to my science woes that worked out pretty well in our homeschool. Each quarter of our school year (every 9 weeks), we would take a "week off" from all other subjects (except math!) and enjoy a science week. That science week would focus on a single topic ...

As I planned my school year each summer, I would choose four science topics to enjoy for the coming year. I would then make certain to collect anything I needed for each of these weeks as they drew closer. I usually spent some time on-line during the summer, checking for special Science books or supplies that might round out our topical studies. Then a couple weeks prior to each Science week, I would visit our local library to add to our stack of books for study. Here are some possible Science topics to choose from:

• Weather
• Astronomy
• Human Body
• Electricity
• Magnetism
• Plant Life
• Birds
• Insects
• Machines
• Ocean Life
  

Once each Science week arrived, we would pull out our stacks of books and science materials, each student would grab their Science "notebook" (3-ring binder with lined and unlined paper), and we would begin our adventure. This might involve some reading about the topic on their own, some reading that I would do aloud, and any activities or experiments that might relate to the topic at hand. I usually tried to include one or two Science videos related to the topic as well. I would make sure that we wrote down any new Science "words" in their notebooks, being certain they understood what they meant. We also sketched (or you could take photos of) the experiments we tried. These all made for a wonderful Science notebook.

My primary goal was to ignite an excitement in my children for learning about Science. Since I viewed these weeks as being "discovery" oriented, I wasn't terribly concerned about mastery of the material. At a time when our major focus was on learning to read well and establishing the fundamentals of math, this approach to Science was enjoyable for all of us.

So don't obsess about Science ... feel free to move it to the back burner, with the exception of four weeks when you enjoy exploring God's creation with your children!

Our Bookcase Winner!

Raising and homeschooling seven wonderful children, April's bookcase is a real winner. It loudly speaks of a love for literature! But like many homeschooler's bookshelves, April admits that this one is screaming BUILD MORE SHELVES!!

Congratulations April ... and keep on reading! Your books will soon be on their way.

Bookcases!

The first of the 27 reasons why families love Sonlight is because Sonlight helps you build a library your entire family will want to read again and again. You'll pass on a love for truly great books that inspire your kids—AND you— to be life-long learners.

One of the benefits of literature-based learning is the opportunity to build an awesome library that will last long after your students are done with their learning. In fact, many students go back again and again to previous years' books to re-read favorites. And I've even heard of husbands who sneak to the bookshelves late at night to grab a good read.

When I talk with new Sonlight users about other benefits of using this curriculum, I always make sure to mention the bookcases. For every Sonlighter knows that sooner or later you have to build more bookcases. I've often thought it would be fun to collect pictures of Sonlight bookcases ... for I'm certain that every bookcase reveals a little bit about the family that builds it.


There's kid-proof bookshelves. You find these in a home where the books matter more than that which holds them.

Then there are those bookshelves which either demonstrate the artistic side of the owners, or a desperate need to find someplace to put all those books when Box Day comes quicker than planned.

Finally, there are those bookshelves that just cry out ... "build more!"

So what do your bookshelves say about you? Email me with a photo of your favorite bookshelf (no later than 4/27/09) and I'll enter you in a drawing for ... what else ... a packet of free books! Introduce a friend to Sonlight by having them email me, and you'll be entered in the drawing *FIVE* times!

Be sure to let me know if I can share your photos here on my blog for others to enjoy. What better motivation to make plans for the coming school year than a bookcase full of books!

High School Transcript

In my experience, one of the things that causes the most anxiety about homeschooling through high school is the thought of creating a transcript. I must admit I shared that anxiety until I had to create one ... then I found it wasn't nearly as intimidating as I had thought!

The first step in creating a transcript is record keeping ... and it needs to begin when your student is a freshman ... not when they reach their junior year. Keep track of your student's academics, extracurricular activities, employment, volunteering, etc...

The second step is confidence ... the belief that as the homeschool parent/teacher, you are the best judge of what constitutes a credit for your student.

I found that assigning credits to Sonlight programs was fairly logical and not difficult at all. For example, the year our oldest did Core 400, here are the credits I assigned:

• American Literature - 1 credit for English (the American Lit portion of Core 400)
  
• Sophmore Composition - 1/2 credit for English (Creative writing portion of Core 400)
• American History - 1 credit for History (History literature in Core 400)
• Civics & Government - 1/2 credit (Government title in Core 400)

Obviously Sonlight is not an accredited agency, and thus does not assign credits to their curriculum materials. However, I as the homeschool teacher have the freedom to do just that!

If you're interested in a copy of a sample transcript, please email me and I'll be happy to send one. More on high school homeschooling to follow!

High School?!

The concept of homeschooling through high school strikes fear into the hearts of many (myself included)! Five years later ... one graduated and another part-way through the high school years, I've found it's not nearly as intimidating as I thought it might be.


One of the first things that I did in preparation for homeschooling a high schooler was to read an excellent (IMHO) book recommended by a friend. The Homeschoolers' College Admissions Handbook by Cafi Cohen is a wonderful resource that covers doing high school at home, creating credits and granting a diploma, writing a transcript, application essays, and much, much more. Her book is full of wonderful testimonies and practical suggestions from other homeschool moms. I spent many hours poring over the book and highlighting sections that were especially helpful.

Another thing I would highly recommend is to find someone that has already begun, or even completed, the high school portion of their homeschool journey. There is great value in taking the time to "sit at the feet" of someone who can share first-hand what worked for them and what did not. If you lack this kind of "skin-on" resource ... find your local homeschool support group or get in touch with your state support group to find out what regulations apply for educating a student in high school.

Get your student involved! Talk with your high schooler about where their interests lay and what types of things they might wish to study. One of the greatest benefits of homeschooling a teen is the chance to provide them with opportunities to learn and grow in their area(s) of interest. Beginning with excellent curriculum material is only part of the equation ... there are all sorts of opportunities for internships, job-shadowing, field trips, and other hands-on experiences that will greatly enrich your student's high school years.

More on homeschooling through high school in another post. For now ... order the book I recommended and begin talking with your student about the possibilities of a high school career at home!

~Judy

Free Chocolate?

Don't those words just bring joy to your heart?!! Every homeschool mom should make time for a chocolate break ... especially if the chocolate is free!

To celebrate the "birth" of my new recipe blog, I decided to join the Ultimate Blog Party this week and get in on some of the fun.



So set aside a few minutes of "mom time" in the next few days and check out both the Ultimate Blog Party site for some great prizes ... then pop over to my new recipe blog and find out how you can win yourself some free chocolate!

Oh ... and don't forget to bookmark this site as well ... and share it with some of your friends!

~Judy

It's in the mail!!

The 2009 Sonlight catalog hit the mailstream today. As I post this, large numbers of catalogs are making their way to various impatient, waiting customers!

So how will you enjoy your catalog when it arrives? Will you hide it away and wait for a quiet moment ... late at night, when the kids are asleep? Or maybe relax in a long, hot bath with your coveted catty? Even better yet ... perhaps you'll arrange to get together with other catalog-loving friends and share your enjoyment at a local coffee shop?

Now that the catalog has begun its journey, I'm beginning to really get excited with my convention planning! Both CHAP and NYS LEAH have begun taking registrations for their 2009 conventions ... and I'm working hard on designing my booth displays to provide a unique opportunity for folks to see and experience our new product line.

If you haven't already, drop me an email and ask about an invitation to my private consultant forum. It's an excellent place to begin your convention preparation. Come tell me what you'd like to see at one of my conventions. If you won't be able to attend a convention this year ... let's chat about your curriculum plans for 2009. I'm looking forward to meeting or chatting with you!

You've never signed up for a Sonlight catalog? Feel free to head over to the Sonlight web site and ask for yours today.

Computer Education

Looking for an interesting, attention-getting elective for your Jr High or High School student? Web design is a valuable skill for any student ... especially in this age of technology. Worried that you don't have the knowledge to teach this particular subject? Worry no longer ... the Professor is on the way.

Student-driven and self-paced, Professor Teaches: Web Pages & Graphics is a great way for your kids to learn the basics of web design and html.

• Publisher 2007
• Expression Web
• FrontPage
• Dreamweaver
• PhotoShop
• Flash

Hundreds of practical exercises will help your student build their skills quickly. It's a must-have for your homeschool and it's available from Sonlight. Head over to my landing page and enter "Professor Teaches" in the search field.

~Judy
Sonlight Consultant

Planning for 2009

Catalog and convention fever has hit the Sonlight Forums! Who would imagine that a curriculum catalog would generate so much excitement?

But sometimes a new Sonlight catalog generates frustration and confusion. Why? Because it seems as though it can't possibly be time to plan for a new school year when we're not done with this year's materials yet! Planning what to purchase for the coming year can cause your head to spin at all the possibilities, especially if you're trying to plan for multiple students.

A simple tool that I've found particularly helpful over the years is a spreadsheet that allows me to do some advance planning. There are many benefits to the exercise of filling out this type of spreadsheet:

• it allows me to *see* my planning all in one location (I tend to be a visual person)
• it often generates planning ideas that I hadn't considered before
• it prevents me from possibly "missing" doing a Core level before a student graduates
• it makes it easier to see where I might combine students with one Core, or at least plan on using "complimentary" Cores.

I'm sure there are more benefits to planning ahead ... including the fact that you really can't aim well at a goal until you set it ... but these few were sufficient to motivate me to invest the time in creating the spreadsheet.

Perhaps my spreadsheet will be helpful in your planning as well! Please feel free to copy this idea and utilize it for your own homeschool. This one is a sample of our homeschool plan ... take some time to create your own! If you like what you see, feel free to email me for a blank copy of this Excel spreadsheet.



~Judy
Sonlight Consultant